Greg

See the video here, to learn the basic procedure for moving an unconscious (but regularly breathing) person from their back to the “recovery position.” In the recovery position, their airway is cleared, any danger of choking on their tongue is lessened, and they are in a safe position in which to awaken. There is no research […]

I got Rafael Lovato Jr’s Ultimate Pressure Passing DVD to further pursue what has been my goal over the last two years, to progressively get tighter throughout my game. Instead of relying on mini explosive movements, or small-guy quickness, I have wanted to find the ways that even as a small guy, I can pressure my […]

On an intensity scale of 1-10, what number do you spend most of your time rolling at? Not in competition, where it’s understandably high, but in class, where most of your growth happens. Which of these is your intensity level MOST of the time? 9 or 10 Only an unwise, or high level, few dare […]

Think of your time in BJJ sparring is thought of in terms of when you’re safe, and when you’re in danger (with tapping being an irremovable piece of the game). This graph came in my head the other day, and I thought it useful: Any beginner would agree, it’s hard to feel safe anywhere. They […]

San Diego’s BJJ scene is second to… perhaps one: Rio De Janeiro. The talent per square mile is incredible, and we made the most of our recent vacation there, with stops to a couple of notable jiu jitsu schools. We had Monday thru Thursday, and on Monday we stopped first at the University of Jiu […]

Last Friday, I received my brown belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu from Professor Pedro Sauer. It was the first time I had ever tested for a belt, and the preparation and test itself were grueling, but very worth it! I hadn’t tested before because I was a student of Royce’s until last year. Royce doesn’t […]

I was talking to one of my students lately about her occasional frustration with training. The more she described her frustration, the more I realized that the problem was with her goals. What Is A “Bad” Day Training? For my student, bad days were described, in part, as “being helplessly stuck on the bottom for […]

When Lisa and I were training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Brazil last summer, Rolker Gracie led a class, and many American and Australian students in the room were saying “Oss,” as I have heard it appear and be used for the last few years: to acknowledge the instruction, and indicate a collective affirmation that we […]

This post originally appeared on submissionsinc.com on 2/18/11, when I had freshly returned to the mat. Over 3 years later, I’m happy I found a way to return with a good attitude, and didn’t quit, which is so easy to do when faced with the tribulations of a less-than-triumphant return. It was just about the […]

When I was a white belt, I yearned badly for a move-by-move BJJ curriculum, and also for sign posts to let me know where I was on my path (toward advancement). Not having one, and, in fact, being told that having one would be a mistake, was frustrating to me. I agitated to be given […]